Zipper

ABSTRACT

A zipper includes male female teeth elements each having a split tube-like base fastened to a cylindrical flange at one side of a first zipper tape and a hollow receiving portion extending from the periphery of the respective split tube-like base and provided with a hook hole at an outer side, female teeth elements each having a split tube-like base fastened to the cylindrical flange of a second zipper tape and a hook strip extending from the periphery of the respective split tube-like base, and a slider body with a guide groove for guiding the hook strips of the male teeth elements into and out of the hook holes of the hollow receiving portions of the female teeth elements accurately without deviation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to zippers and more particularly, to ametal zipper, which uses a guide groove in a slider body to guide hookstrips of male teeth elements in and out of respective hook holes offemale teeth elements, thereby closing or opening the zipper tapes.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

A conventional zipper is generally comprised of two zipper tapes, a maleteeth chain, a female teeth chain, a slider body, two pins, a top stop,and a bottom stop. When pulling the slider body, the male and femaleteeth chains are engaged together to close the zipper tapes ordisengaged from each other to open the zipper tapes. The male and femaleteeth chains may be made of metal, plastics, nylon, or any of a varietyof other materials. Further, a zipper can be made in any of a variety offorms, such as close end, open end, X type, or O type.

Despite how the material is, the male and female teeth chains of aconventional zipper are respectively comprised of a series of male toothand a series of female tooth and driven by the slider body into theengaged position or disengaged position. Exemplars are seen in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,036,191; 6,588,072; 4,099,301; 3,872,551; 1,934,084. Otherconventional metal, resin, or nylon zippers have similar male and femaleteeth chain structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. According to one aspect of the present invention, the zipper iscomprised of two zipper tapes, a series of male teeth elements providedat one zipper tape, a series of female teeth elements provided at theother zipper tape, and a slider body movable over the male teethelements and the female teeth elements to lock the male teeth elementsand the female teeth elements or to unlock the male teeth elements fromthe female teeth elements. The female teeth elements each have areceiving portion and a hook hole on the outer side of the receivingportion. The male teeth elements each have a hook strip guided by theslider body into and out of the hook holes of the female teeth elements.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the slider bodyhas a guide groove on the inside for guiding the hook strips of the maleteeth elements into and out of the hook holes of the receiving portionsof the female teeth elements accurately without deviation when theslider body is moved over the male and female teeth elements.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the maleteeth elements and the female teeth elements can be independent elementsseparately fastened to the zipper tapes. Alternatively, the male teethelements can be made in integrity and then affixed to one zipper tape,and the female teeth elements can be made in integrity and affixed tothe other zipper tape.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the maleteeth elements and the female teeth elements can be made of a metalmaterial so that the zipper cause a sense of ancient style beauty.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the splittube-like bases of the female teeth elements cover the periphery of thecylindrical flange of the associating zipper tape such that thereceiving portions of the female teeth elements are kept in an enclosedstatus relative to the cylindrical flange of the associating zippertape.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the clampingstrips and/or split tube-like bases of the male teeth elements andfemale teeth elements have spurs for engaging into the zipper tapes tosecure the respective male teeth elements and female teeth elementsfirmly to the respective zipper tapes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a zipper in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational assembly view of the zipper in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the zipper according to the presentinvention, showing the closed status of the zipper.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing one maleteeth element and one female teeth element engaged together.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one male teeth element according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partially cutaway, of the zipperaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing the hookstrip of one male teeth element guided into the guide groove of theslider body.

FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention made in the form of a close endzipper.

FIG. 9 illustrates the present invention made in the form of an open endzipper.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a part of an alternate form of thezipper in accordance with the present invention, showing the male teethelements and the female teeth elements in a single piece form.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the zipper according to the embodimentof FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view in an enlarged scale of a part of thezipper of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an extended out view of one male teeth element for zipperaccording to another alternate form of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an extended out view of one female teeth element for zipperaccording to another alternate form of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the maleteeth element of FIG. 13 in one zipper tape (I).

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the maleteeth element of FIG. 13 in one zipper tape (II).

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the femaleteeth element of FIG. 14 in one zipper tape (I).

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the femaleteeth element of FIG. 14 in one zipper tape (II).

FIG. 19 is an extended out view of one male teeth element for zipperaccording to still another alternate form of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an extended out view of one female teeth element for zipperaccording to still another alternate form of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the maleteeth element of FIG. 19 in one zipper tape (I).

FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the maleteeth element of FIG. 19 in one zipper tape (II).

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the femaleteeth element of FIG. 20 in one zipper tape (I).

FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the femaleteeth element of FIG. 20 in one zipper tape (II).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a zipper in accordance with the presentinvention is shown comprised of two zipper tapes 1, male teeth elements2, female teeth elements 3, and a slider body 4.

Similar to the conventional designs, the zipper tapes 1 each have acylindrical flange 11 extending along the length at one side.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the male teeth elements 2are arranged in series along one side of one zipper tape 1, eachcomprising a split tube-like base 22 fastened to the cylindrical flange11 of the associating zipper tape 1, a hook strip 21 perpendicularlyextending from the periphery of the split tube-like base 22, and twoclamping strips 23 extending from the split tube-like base 22 andclamped on the top and bottom surface of the associating zipper tape 1to secure the split tube-like base 22 to the cylindrical flange 11 ofthe associating zipper tape 1 firmly. The split tube-like base 22 can bemade having a hole 221 at one side or each of two opposite sides toenhance engagement between the split tube-like base 22 and thecylindrical flange 11 of the associating zipper tape 1. The hook strip21 has a bend portion 211 extending from the periphery of the splittube-like base 22, and a hook portion 212 extending from one end of thebend portion 211 remote from the split tube-like base 22.

The female teeth elements 3 are arranged in series along one side of theother zipper tape 1 to match the male teeth elements 2, each comprisinga split tube-like base 33 fastened to the cylindrical flange 11 of theassociating zipper tape 1, a hollow receiving portion 32 protruded fromthe periphery of the split tube-like base 33 at one side, a hook hole 31on the outer side of the hollow retaining portion 32, and two clampingstrips 34 extending from the split tube-like base 33 and clamped on thetop and bottom surface of the associating zipper tape 1 to secure thesplit tube-like base 33 to the cylindrical flange 11 of the associatingzipper tape 1 firmly (the clamping strips 23 or 34 of the male teethelements 2 or female teeth elements 3 may be eliminated). The splittube-like base 33 can be made having a hole 331 at one side or each oftwo opposite sides to enhance engagement between the split tube-likebase 33 and the cylindrical flange 11 of the associating zipper tape 1.

The slider body 4 is movable over the male teeth elements 2 and thefemale teeth elements 3 to force the male teeth elements 2 intoengagement with the female teeth elements 3 or to separate the maleteeth elements 2 from the female teeth elements 3, having a guide groove41 (see FIG. 2) for guiding the hook strip 21 of each male teeth element2 into the hook hole 31 of the respective female teeth element 3.Further, a pull-tab 42 is coupled to the slider body 4.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when pulling the slider body 4 in onedirection, the hook strips 21 of the male teeth elements 2 arerespectively guided into the hook holes 31 of the female teeth elements3 and kept engaged in the receiving portions 32 of the female teethelements 3. On the contrary, when pulling the slider body 4 in thereversed directions, the hook strips 21 of the male teeth elements 2 arerespectively forced away from the hook holes 31 of the female teethelements 3.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide groove 41 of the slider body 4 isadapted for the passing of the hook strip 21 of each male teeth element2 when the slider body 4 is moving over the male teeth elements 2 andthe female teeth elements 3 and for guiding the hook strip 21 of eachmale teeth element 2 toward a predetermined direction so that the hookstrips 21 of the male teeth elements 2 can be respectively andaccurately forced into the hook holes 31 of the female teeth elements 3and kept in positive engagement with the receiving portions 32 of thefemale teeth elements 3.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the invention can be made in the form of aclose end zipper (see FIG. 8) or open end zipper (see FIG. 9).

In the aforesaid embodiment (see FIGS. 1˜9), the male teeth elements 2and the female teeth elements 3 are independent elements and separatelyfastened to the associating zipper tapes 1. As an alternate form of thepresent invention, the male teeth elements 2 and the female teethelements 3 can be separately formed in integrity, i.e., the clampingstrips 23 a or 34 a of the teeth elements 2 or 3 at the same side areformed integral with one another. Therefore, the teeth elements 2 or 3can be independent elements and separately fastened to the zipper tapes1, or made in one single piece and directly fastened to one zipper tape1.

According to the present invention, the male teeth elements 2 and thefemale teeth elements 3 can be made of metal by means of metal stamping.When the metal male teeth elements 2 and the metal female teeth elements3 are fastened to the zipper tapes 1 to form a metal zipper, the metalzipper shows a sense of ancient style.

In case a metal material is used for making the male teeth elements 2and the female teeth elements 3, the male teeth elements 2 and thefemale teeth elements 3 can be respectively stamped from a single metalsheet member. After stamping, the hook strips 21 of the male teethelements 2 are bent into shape (see FIG. 5). Except the hook strips 21,the split tube-like bases 22 (33), the clamping strips 23 (34), theholes 221 (331), the hook shape of the hook strips 21 of the male teethelements 2 and the hook holes 31 and hollow receiving portions 32 of thefemale teeth elements 3 are all formed by means of stamping. Therefore,the fabrication of the male teeth elements 2 and the female teethelements 3 is easy and quick. After fabrication, the male teeth elements2 and the female teeth elements 3 can be fastened to the cylindricalflanges 11 of the zipper tapes 1 quickly and tightly. Therefore, theinvention is suitable for mass production.

The receiving portions 32 of the female teeth elements 3 cover theperiphery of the cylindrical flange 11 of the associating zipper tape 1such that the receiving portions 31 of the female teeth elements 3 arekept in an enclosed status relative to the cylindrical flange of thecylindrical flange 11 of the associating zipper tape 1 and thecylindrical flange 11 of the associating zipper tape 1 will never enterthe receiving portions 31 of the female teeth elements 3 when the maleteeth elements 2 and the female teeth elements 3 are stretched heavily.

Further, the zipper may be variously embodied without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. FIGS. 10˜12 show an alternate form ofthe zipper according to the present invention. According to thisembodiment, the aforesaid clamping strips 23 and 34 are respectivelyeliminated from the male teeth elements 2 and the female teeth elements3, and the split tube-like bases 22 and 33 are directly fastened to thecylindrical flanges 11 of the zipper tapes 1.

According to the aforesaid embodiments, the male teeth elements 2 andthe female teeth elements 3 are fastened to the zipper tapes 1 by meansof the split tube-like bases 22 and 33, or clamping strips 23 and 34.

According to another alternate form of the present invention, as shownin FIGS. 13 and 14, the clamping strips 23 and 34 of the male teethelements 2 and the female teeth elements 3 each have a plurality ofspurs 24 or 35 at an inner side for engaging into the zipper tapes 1 toaffix the male teeth elements 2 and the female teeth elements 3 to theassociating zipper tapes 1 (see FIGS. 15˜18). The spurts 24 of the twoclamping strips 23 of each male teeth element 2 are arranged in astaggered manner. The spurts 35 of the two clamping strips 34 of eachfemale teeth element 3 are also arranged in a staggered manner.

According to still another alternate form of the present invention, asshown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the male teeth elements 2 and the female teethelements 3 eliminate the aforesaid clamping strips 23 and 34, and thesplit tube-like bases 22 and 33 each have a plurality of spurs 24 a or35 a for engaging into the zipper tapes 1 to affix the male teethelements 2 and the female teeth elements 3 to the associating zippertapes 1 (see FIGS. 21˜24).

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A zipper comprising two zipper tapes, said zipper tapes each having acylindrical flange extending along the length thereof at one side, aplurality of male teeth elements mounted on the cylindrical flange ofone of said zipper tapes and arranged in series, a plurality of femaleteeth elements mounted on the cylindrical flange of the other of saidzipper tapes and arranged in series corresponding to said male teethelements, and a slider body movable over said male teeth elements andsaid female teeth elements in reversed directions to lock and unlocksaid male teeth elements and said female teeth elements, wherein: saidfemale teeth elements each comprise a split tube-like base fastened tothe cylindrical flange of the associating zipper tape, a hollowreceiving portion extending from the periphery of the split tube-likebase of the respective female teeth element, and a hook hole on an outerside of said hollow receiving portion; said male teeth elements eachcomprise a split tube-like base fastened to the cylindrical flange ofthe associating zipper tape, and a hook strip extending from theperiphery of the split tube-like base of the respective male teethelement and guidable by said slider body into and out of the hook holeon the hollow receiving portion of the associating female teeth element.2. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said male teeth elementseach comprise two clamping strips extending from the respective splittube-like base and respectively clamped on top and bottom surfaces ofthe associating zipper tape to affix the respective male teeth elementto the associating zipper tape.
 3. The zipper as claimed in claim 1,wherein said male teeth elements each have at least one hole cut throughthe periphery of the respective split tube-like base.
 4. The zipper asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the hook strip of each of said male teethelements has a bend portion extending from the periphery of the splittube-like base and a hook portion extending from one end of said bendportion remote from the split tube-like base of the respective maleteeth element.
 5. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said femaleteeth elements each comprise two clamping strips extending from therespective split tube-like base and respectively clamped on top andbottom surfaces of the associating zipper tape to affix the respectivemale teeth element to the associating zipper tape.
 6. The zipper asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said female teeth elements each have atleast one hole cut through the periphery of the respective splittube-like base.
 7. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sliderbody comprises a guide groove for guiding the hook strip of each of saidmale teeth elements in and out of the hook holes of the associatingfemale teeth elements.
 8. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmale teeth elements and said female teeth elements are independentelements separately fastened to said zipper tapes.
 9. The zipper asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said male teeth elements are formedintegrally in a single piece; said female teeth elements are formedintegrally in a single piece.
 10. The zipper as claimed in claim 1,wherein said male teeth elements are integrally connected togetherbefore installation in the associating zipper tape; said female teethelements are integrally connected together before installation in theassociating zipper tape.
 11. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid male teeth elements are made in integrity from a metal plate bymeans of metal stamping; said female teeth elements are made inintegrity from a metal plate by means of metal stamping.
 12. The zipperas claimed in claim 1, wherein the split tube-like bases of said maleteeth elements and said female teeth elements are respectively tightlyclamped on the cylindrical flanges of said zipper tapes.
 13. The zipperas claimed in claim 1, wherein the split tube-like bases of said femaleteeth elements cover the periphery of the cylindrical flange of theassociating zipper tape such that said receiving portions of said femaleteeth elements are kept in an enclosed status relative to thecylindrical flange of the associating zipper tape.
 14. The zipper asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said clamping strips of said male teethelements and said female teeth elements each have a plurality of spursprotruded from an inner surface thereof and respectively engaged intosaid zipper tapes.
 15. The zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesplit tube-like bases of said male teeth elements and said female teethelements each have a plurality of spurs protruded from two ends thereofand respectively engaged into said zipper tapes.